The Kid and the Carpet: Finding the Perfect Match (and Tips to Maintain That Perfection)
A household filled with the pitter-patter of a small child's feet can bring many things to a home. One undeniable fact of life is this: small kids bring big messes more often than not. They also can put a lot of wear and tear on flooring. Before setting out to buy that soft, warm fabric for a child's bedroom floor, it's important to consider more than the price tag and color. Once the ideal carpet has been found, knowing how to maintain its quality and like-new appearance is equally important.
Protection From Those Little Stain-Makers
Markers, crayons, acrylic paints, and more. It sounds like it could have a catch phrase for a fantasy kids' movie. In reality, it is often a parent's worse nightmare when used while doodling in a carpeted room. The same would apply for kids that love to snack in their rooms and possess a knack for spilling grape juice.
The first rule of thumb when setting out to buy carpet for a kid's room is to think stain resistant material and / or stain resistant treatment. Also, rather than buying a solid color carpet, it makes sense to choose a marbled pattern or textured design that hides dirt fairly well. A checkered motif, cross stitching, and any pattern that overlaps in design might not show as much dirt as a solid color would. Also, consider dark colors such as deep brown or navy. Think two-toned flecks of color that hide those little spots that kids seem to create so effortlessly.
A branded nylon fiber is a good choice for a child's bedroom floor. That's because branded nylon resists stains better than some other materials. As a double bonus, the branded nylon fabric will hold up fairly well under the constant use and abuse of an active toddler or young child. It is a good idea to resist buying a carpet made of polyester, because this material tends to cause matting of the fibers and retain oils.
Maintaining the Investment
Choosing the right pattern and fabric for a child's bedroom floor is half the battle. Equally important is learning the right way to maintain that investment. The first step is to vacuum several times a week, if not every day. Doing so helps to lift surface dirt and debris between cleanings, before that dirt has a chance to set deep into the fibers and become a ground-in stain.
Secondly, shoes should be removed before walking into the room. Children (and adults, too) should wear soft-soled slippers or slipper socks while in the house. It is a simple solution for preventing the kids from tracking in dirt or mud from outside, because causing unsightly stains.
It's a good idea to perform a deep steam-cleaning (with the use of a carpet cleaning machine) every few months. Use a commercial cleaner, or if chemicals are an issue, try an all-natural method such as hot water and white vinegar in the steam-cleaning machine. Alternately, hire a professional cleaning service that uses "green" products to naturally extract dirt and stains.
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